Ages 3–6

Ages 3–6

The Big Idea

Playfoam® offers kids loads of fun-- with no mess to clean up afterwards! Just squish the Playfoam up, shape it however you like, squash it back down, and start all over again. Playfoam® never dries out so the creativity never ends—and the secret no-stick formula means you can take it anywhere for creative fun on the go.

Playfoam allows preschoolers to express their creativity—with no mess to clean up afterward! Just squish it, squash it, smash it, and start all over again. Playfoam never dries out, so the creativity never ends—and the secret no-stick formula means you can take it anywhere for creative and tactile fun on the go!

My 3 year old has LOVED playing with this playfoam and I seem to find the ball of the mushed together foam in his room just about every morning him having grabbed it to play...Read complete review

My 3 year old has LOVED playing with this playfoam and I seem to find the ball of the mushed together foam in his room just about every morning him having grabbed it to play with in bed! Since the playfoam doesn't dry out I don't have to worry or stress about it being left out of the package! Plus, it has really good about very little mess! Occasionally a few of the tiny foam balls will be separated "from the pack" and get lost but it hasn't been a big deal so far. While it's been a lot of fun for my boys to play with, I do think it's hard to make many things that really represent a real life object. For example, the most creative I really got was a snowman and a hot dog – very simple shapes. It is hard to create really defined lines with the foam so the designs to stay pretty simple. This is really a non-issue for younger children though as they wouldn't be attempting complex designs.

Disclosure: I received 2 4-packs of Playfoam for free to review on my website A Mom's Take. Opinions are my own.

VS

Most Liked Negative Review

Rediculous idea!

I read the package and thought what a fun idea. My grandson was going to visit so I bought a package. He was absolutely fascinated by it. He is very dexterous and managed...Read complete review

I read the package and thought what a fun idea. My grandson was going to visit so I bought a package. He was absolutely fascinated by it. He is very dexterous and managed to just pick out one teeny, tiny ball. That was it's only positive which was outweighed by all of the negatives. We discovered that it was VERY sticky. When we squeezed the ball and pulled it apart, fine strings of sticky stuff formed (like spider webs). Little balls detached and stuck to fingers and clothes. It might be a fun experience but I can't believe it was thought of by someone with children or a logical brain!

The negative reviews on this site are ridiculous. People you are crazy. This stuff is awesome. Yes it has a sticky residue, it is a children's toy, get over it. I have A 4 year old girl and she loves the stuff. She plays with it every day. There's no end to what you can do with it. She makes a hat out of it, a ball, many different creatures. Really gets her creativity going.

Lots of fun and initially I thought it was much cleaner than Play-Doh. However when it came time to clean up, I noticed a very sticky residue all over my daughters high chair tray where she was playing with the material. I've tried getting off the residue with soap and water, scrubbing with the back of the sponge, and even tried Goo Gone. Nothing has gotten it off so far :(

Was this a gift?:

No

Merchant response: Hi Lauren

Olive oil, or a Pam Spray will take out the residue on the high chair tray. Let us know if you need any additional help at jennifer@educationalinsights.com

I read the package and thought what a fun idea. My grandson was going to visit so I bought a package. He was absolutely fascinated by it. He is very dexterous and managed to just pick out one teeny, tiny ball. That was it's only positive which was outweighed by all of the negatives. We discovered that it was VERY sticky. When we squeezed the ball and pulled it apart, fine strings of sticky stuff formed (like spider webs). Little balls detached and stuck to fingers and clothes. It might be a fun experience but I can't believe it was thought of by someone with children or a logical brain!

Was this a gift?:

No

Bottom LineNo, I would not recommend this to a friend

Merchant response: Hi Neet

So sorry our Playfoam didn't meet your expectations! We stand by our products with our Playful Promise (https://www.educationalinsights.com/category/customer+service/returns+-+exchanges.do), please reach out to me at jennifer@educationalinsights.com or anyone on our awesome customer service team can help you at 1-800-995-4436.

About Me Education Oriented, Parent Of Two Or More Children, Stay At Home Parent

Pros

Cons

Poor Design

Best Uses

Indoor

Young Children

Comments about Educational Insights Playfoam® Classic 4-Pack:

I really was excited to get this product as I am not a fan of playdoh. I purchased the 20 pack of the foam. My kids loved it maybe for the first 30 minutes. The foam became extremely sticky, stringy and there was sticky stuff on their little hands (and mine too), They were not able to mold anything at this point besides a ball. The foam would stick to their fingers if they tried pulling it apart. I have also found it in their hair tonight, clothes and random areas around the house. I sent an email to customer service. Wish this would have worked out because it was a great idea and looked fun.

Was this a gift?:

No

Bottom LineNo, I would not recommend this to a friend

Merchant response: Hi Weakly

Thanks for your review. Since your kiddos are not completely satisfied with the product, I'd like to inform you about our Playful Promise. If you are not completely satisfied with your product, you can return it. No questions asked. Get more information here https://www.educationalinsights.com/category/customer+service/returns+-+exchanges.do or you can email me at jennifer@educationalinsights.com

Grandma came to babysit and brought this as a fun activity. When I returned home there was a gross residue on the high chair tray where playtime occurred. Other craft activities occur on the try all the time (crayons, playdoh, etc.) and there is never any problem with the cleanup. The residue from this foam is ridiculously hard to get off the tray. The packaging says non-toxic but there is no way I'm allowing my kid to eat off of this tray until this gross residue is completely gone. I have tried cleaning it with soap and a sponge and it will NOT come off. I don't want to use chemicals or anything abrasive that will scratch the tray. This much thought shouldn't have to go into playtime cleanup. This stuff is just gross!

Was this a gift?:

Yes

Bottom LineNo, I would not recommend this to a friend

Merchant response: Oh no, we're so sorry you had a bad experience with our Playfoam. Our Playfoam is thoroughly tested and is indeed non-toxic, however the colorant used in the sparkle of the Playfoam can leave behind a residue, which sounds like what you experienced. Please email me at jennifer@educationalinsights.com we'd love to get you some fun toys for Grandma to play with when she comes over.

I use this with pupils that have poor pencil control and poor fine motor skills. It can be fit into a busy day and is always great fun. The pupil chooses something to make and we have 2 mins to each make and compare them. The best hung is that it doesn't dry out and is always ready to use.

About Me Educational And Fun, Education Oriented, Want To Get Something

Pros

Both 2-yr-olds Will Enjoy

Bought 2 Birthday Gifts

Description Looks Good

Each Boy Has 1 At Home

Cons

Best Uses

Boys Play Sole Or Togethe

Comments about Educational Insights Playfoam® Classic 4-Pack:

Looks like the boys can play alone or together. Also, gives parents free time while boys are playing. Haven't seen them open the gifts yet, but from the description products are reliable and non-messy. Lets the boys create many images.

My kids wanted to play with it, but it leaves a sticky residue on everything it touches...almost greasy. and the little balls of foam end up all over and this has glitter mixed in it as well...so you can imagine the weeks you'll be finding glitter in strange places for weeks. My daughter(5) was having fun playing with it, but my son(almost 2) was taste testing it. OK IN THE GARBAGE. Do not buy this...stick with lincoln logs or good old fashioned paper and crayons. Can't imagine ingesting foam is healthy, and the sticky residue sticks to carpet too. It is like a slimey flemmy goop. Pretty colors...maybe find a way to harden this stuff and make xmas ornaments out of it instead.

Was this a gift?:

Yes

Bottom LineNo, I would not recommend this to a friend

Merchant response: Oh, no, Critical Dad, sounds like you got a bad batch of Playfoam! It shouldn't stick to ANYTHING at all. Please email amy@educationalinsights.com so I can replace it for you, free of charge. PS - Playfoam is non-toxic, so the bit your son ate won't hurt him!